Nikki Garcia isn’t up for tag-teaming with younger men as she gets back into the dating ring.
While speaking about the “eye candy” she observed during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the retired wrestler revealed while the men were hot, they just weren’t in her age bracket.
“Do we wanna train [younger men]?” Nikki asked her sister Brie Garcia and guest Rocsi Diaz on the Feb. 18 episode of Nikki & Brie Show podcast. “I want to be owned. I want my body rocked.”
The 41-year-old’s comment came three months after she finalized her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, with whom she shares son Matteo, 4.
Still, while Brie—who is married to Bryan Danielson—offered to be her sister’s wing woman, Nikki noted that her sister gets more joy about finding her dating prospects.
The Traitors alum shared, “She gets more excited that me.”
But according to Brie, she’s just good at spotting a great mate.
“I feel like I have a really good eye for good men,” she explained. “Attractive, the whole package. I find the good ones.”
And while her sister was there to help, Nikki wasn’t shy with sharing her standards.
“Where’s the retired ones?” she asked. “The ones that have some wisdom, and age, and have experienced life a little bit?”
As he put it, “I’ll just do it all. I’ll do young. I’ll do retired.”
Nikki and Artem, who met on Dancing With the Stars in 2017, broke up last August after Artem was arrested in August on suspicion of felony domestic violence (for which he ultimately was not charged). While they each filed restraining orders alleging the other party was the aggressor in the incident, they both ultimately dropped the restraining order requests prior to settling their divorce in November.
Ahead of her first Valentine’s Day weekend as a single woman, Nikki revealed she had plans to spend it with the most important man in her life.
“For me right now, it’s anything with my son,” Nikki told E! News in an interview Feb. 7. “He gives me the greatest love ever. He fills my cup up beyond.”
“So it would be having a really fun lunch with french fries,” she added, “because that is his favorite and now it’s my favorite.”
Keep reading to look back at Nikki and Artem’s relationship prior to their breakup…
A Different Sort of Smooch
Long before the two paired up in real life, Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev were dance partners during DWTS' 25th season back in 2017. Here, Artem kisses the Garcia twin's hand for a promotional shot.
Sunday Fun Day
Just weeks before the pair would go on to publicly confirm their romance, Artem made several appearances on Nikki's Instagram Story and Instagram Live videos before and during Total Bellas. Why?
Nikki explained that Artem would be joining her in live tweeting the episode, though that wasn't the only reason for his social media cameo. "I have a special guest who had a really fun Sunday fun day with me," she told fans in the Live video, before explaining they spent the afternoon enjoying ramen and non-alcoholic beer together.
Messing Around
Artem followed Nikki's adorable Instagram post with one of his own the following the day. The scenic shot showed a giddy-looking Nikki smiling and covering Artem's face while his arm was wrapped sweetly around her waist.
It's Official!
Trailing Total Bellas' fourth season finale, the WWE star took to Instagram Sunday night, March 24, with an adorable snapshot that saw her planting a sweet kiss on the DWTS pro's cheek.
The photo seemed to reemphasize what the final moments of Sunday's episode already confirmed: that Nikki and Artem are, in fact, doing the romance thing.
"Well after that season finale," she wrote in the post's caption, adding that her and Artem's relationship is the "first thing I'll be talking about" during Wednesday's upcoming episode of The Bellas Podcast. Stay tuned!
Wine Time
Artem and Nikki held hands during a daytime date in Washington, D.C.
Breakfast With the Fam
Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella posted this cute pic of herself and daughter Birdie grabbing breakfast with the couple in April 2019.
Dog Pile
Nikki and Artem snuggled in bed with her pup Winston.
Disney Date
Nikki and Artem cuddle up while in Disney with Brie and her husband Bryan Danielson.
Podcast Official
Artem made his first appearance on the Garcia's podcast in May 2019 and the lovebirds didn't shy away from talking about their relationship.
Music Fest Lovefest
The couple shared a sweet moment in the crowd at the BottleRock music festival.
BottleRock Babes
Artem and Nikki enjoy a weekend getaway to in Napa, Califa.
Birthday Boy
"Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart," Nikki wrote in a tribute to Artem in June 2019. "You're a special one Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life."
Smooch!
Nikki planted a sweet kiss on Arten during a selfie.
Hands Off
The pair snapped a "hands free 10 second selfie."
Happy
Artem sweept Nikki off her feet! "Lake Tahoe makes my soul smile & my inner child come out and play!" she wrote on Instagram.
Picture Perfect
Nikki and Artem's Lake Tahoe photo shoot was hotter than the weather on 4th of July.
Desert Selfie
Nikki and Artem soaked up some sun in the desert.
Mexicali Memories
Artem joined Nikki and Brie on a trip to Mexicali as the twins tried to reunite with their estranged father.
Ahem...
Nikki snuck in a selfie amid her attempt to "seduce my way into getting a foot massage."
Chilling At The Lake
The pair spent quality family time together during a trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2021.
New Beginning
Nikki took to Instagram in August 2019 to share a message about her "new beginning" with Artem.
"As I start a new amazing journey with @totalbellas and my life, my @theartemc is starting the same," the retired WWE star wrote. "And I am so excited for him to be on this journey with me. I'm thankful for him to showcase his life, love, ups and downs not only for me but for my Bella Army and my Total Bellas viewers."
Vote For Artem!
Nikki encouraged the Bella Army to vote for Artem and his DWTS partner, Melora Hardin, with the adorable pic.
Couple Goals
Being a supportive wife, Nikki encouraged fans to vote for Artem and partner Heidi D'Amelio on Dancing With the Stars with this cute photo.
Cheers!
Let happy hour for the hardworking couple commence!
Cuddles
Seriously, could they get any cuter?
Together Forever
Nikki and her "4 lifer," as she put it in the caption of this October snap.
Poppin' Bottles
Champagne time.
A Bella Birthday
Artem shared this pic on Nikki's birthday.
"I want to wish the happiest birthday to my beautiful and definitely better other half," he captioned the post. "you are my rock, you have been absolutely incredible as a mom to Matteo and I am so lucky to have you. I want to wish you lots of success, love and happiness and everything you wish for yourself. I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you to celebrate."
Kisses
Muah.
Home Is Wherever I'm With You
"mi casa," Nikki wrote alongside this sweet selfie.